Today, I am in Chicago for meetings with Michael Gelder, Secretary Saddler and other
members of the Governor’s Staff to discuss quality of life and person centered outcomes.
Tuesday, I’m back in the Capitol working on continuation of the income tax increase and
the Care Campaign.
I have been asked a few times if the income tax increase continues, is there any guarantee
disability services will benefit from the increase?
First, there is no guarantee but the cuts I have been writing about are real and would
create a disaster for the disability and education community.
Consider the following:
Governor Quinn has put a $1.00 per hour increase in his recommended budget.
About 2,000 have moved off the PUNS Waiting List in the past two years.
A few weeks ago about 750 individuals learned they were moving off the PUNS Waiting List.
Governor Quinn has in his recommended budget moving another 500 individuals of the
PUNS Waiting List.
About 300 people have moved out of state institutions in the past few years by closing
Jacksonville and Howe.
About 650 individuals have moved out of ICFDD’s into smaller CILA’s.
None of this would continue is the income tax were allowed to return to 3.75%!
From my work in the Capitol last week we know:
The House of Representatives does not have the votes to support continuation of the
income tax increase.
The Senate appears to have the votes to support the continuation of the income tax
increase but they will not vote on that increase unless the House passes the increase
first.
I need you to continue to support the continuation of the income tax increase.
I want you to send the following message to your Senators and
Representatives.
Please support a $1.00 per hour increase in wages for direct support professionals
as proposed in the Governor’s budget plan.
And please vote YES to maintain existing income tax rates to prevent cuts to
services and ensure revenues are available to pay fair wages to workers like me.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org
